Northern N.Y. pet shop shut down over abused kittens

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - A northern New York pet store has been shut down after authorities found dead and dying kittens in a back room.

The Plattsburgh Press-Republicanreports that police and state animal welfare investigators took 18 mixed breed kittens from Northern Puppies in Plattsburgh and charged 33-year-old owner Tammy Staley with 20 counts of animal cruelty.

Two kittens were found dead and another three have died since they were brought to a shelter. The others are being treated for a variety of ailments. Some of the kittens were found covered in feces and urine in cages that were too small.

Staley's operating license has been suspended until a July 16 hearing in Albany. She's due back in court July 25 on the misdemeanor cruelty charges.